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Fatigue and coping with it.

Posted , 7 users are following.

ruth03300
ruth03300

I have had RA for some years but the last twelve months the "tiredness" has got steadily worse. Sometimes walking from one room to another exhausts me. I feel so inadequate because I can't do simple things. I can cope with the aches and pains but not being able to do housework is making me depresed. How do others cope?

1 like, 20 replies

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  • timothy11402
    timothy11402 ruth03300

    Posted

    First, I assume you have a rheumatologist, not a GP, taking care of you. Your rheumatologist should take your complaint seriously and assess the situation. And depression makes your situation worse. If you have a rheumatologist and if he/she can't help you, it is time to shop for another rheumatologist.

    Good luck, and I hope you feel better. I know firsthand how awful this can feel.

     

    • ruth03300
      ruth03300 timothy11402

      Posted

      Thankyou. It has been good to know that other people understand bacausbacause on outside I look fine. I sesee the rheumatologist at the end of the month now I know others have through it I will certainly tell iim.
  • tami413
    tami413 ruth03300

    Posted

    I too feel the same. It has been so bad, a friend gifted me a maid for a deep cleaning. That lifted my spirits so much. I felt a failure as a wife, mother and fur baby owner. This wicked disease has put me in such a deep depression. My profession was trainer - talking to audiences of sometimes 100's to as few as 10. Standing on my feet for hours. The loss financial to my family has been such a burden in my shoulder as I brought in 2/3 of our household income. We've depleted all our savings, cashed in retirements. It's just wicked. Wow, I can only say I've newly renewed my faith, researched holistic medicines, reconnected with many friends I've not had time for in the past. I've been able to have movie parties with my teen that I never would've had time to - so as vicious and life altering as it is - take time to find joy in small accomplishments and new things that are your new normal. Focus on moving ahead and being a champion of your disease and inform yourself and stay on top of research on auto-immune diseases and RA. Doctors are just people - They only know what they know and sometimes we are more knowledgable because this disease is affecting our lives. So, stay strong, stay positive, stay informed, stay rested, stay hydrated, pray if you believe, smudge if you believe, but take this time to be kind to yourself - be selfish. Don't give up, it will get better. Don't be sad or it will affect this disease. Stay positive. It has helped me come out of the darkest time of my life. If I can in some small way help anyone on this site become more positive then I will consider that my gift for having this disease.

    • ruth03300
      ruth03300 tami413

      Posted

      Thankyou it has helped me already to know others understand. My daughter comes in twice a week to clean for me and that sent me spiralling down because I felt so inadequate. I am now going to see it for the gift it is.
    • linda17563
      linda17563 ruth03300

      Posted

      My sister has had RA 2 years, and has been devastated by it, especially the fatigue....she often looks back to the life she had, and I tell her not to torture herself, and to look forward with what she can do....and enjoy the lovely grand-son`s smile..smile...

       

  • Guest
    Guest ruth03300

    Posted

    Ruth, I went through the same thing! I kept complaining about it to my doctor and he ordered blood tests. He said my vitamin D was on the lower end and wanted me to start taking D3 1000 IU a day. I thought he was just blowing me off but I tried it. Within 36 hours I felt energy I hadn't felt in months! and like you I couldn't walk from one room to the other without being exhausted. I haven't had an episode since I started taking them. You might give it a try. I've read a lot of RA meds will deplete your vitamin D and it is necessary to absorb other vitamins. My doc also explained that yes, your body should make it from sunlight but the circumstances have to be right. Give it a try, it's over the counter.

    • tami413
      tami413 Guest

      Posted

      Absolutely load up on D (50,000 in), folic Acid, b-12 injections, multi vitamin. It helps.
    • linda17563
      linda17563 Guest

      Posted

      Yes, you are right, I told my sister to have her VIT D checked, doctor wasn`t happy....think it should have been from 50 upwards, my sister`s reading was 17!  she was given Vit D and felt hugely better.....but was told to stop after 3 months....now takes it in lower form from chemist, but fatigue is back.....doctor says no more, or it can be overdosed.....it`s a minefield really, and why aren`t these tests done, we shouldn`t have to fight for everything ourselves!...thats my rant for the day....keep well...
  • tony09890
    tony09890 ruth03300

    Posted

    Careful, there is a thing called vitamin D toxicity.   If you're on vitamin D a test for calciun in the blood should be included in your blood tests.

    • Guest
      Guest tony09890

      Posted

      Tony, you would have to take HUGH amounts (50,000) IU for several months for this to occur according to the Mayo Clinic
    • ruth03300
      ruth03300 Guest

      Posted

      I wondered about this as I do suffer from SAD syndrome in the winter and use a light box. I will speak with the rheumatologist because when I was put on methextrate I was told not to take supplements. I take MX and diabetic medication so I need to be a bibt careful.
    • Guest
      Guest ruth03300

      Posted

      Certainly ask your doctor. They should do a blood test to see where you stand on your vitamin levels. Make sure your doctor understands you are TIRED. I had to tell mine 3 times before it clicked with him to do the test.
  • natasa24657
    natasa24657 ruth03300

    Posted

    Hi Ruth

    I am sorry to hear how you feel. I have had this desease for three years and been out of work since last October as my boss wants me to do physical work which I can't. I am very tired and still in pain. I was very depressed as I lost also my dog of 17.5 years and gained my boyfriends dads dog straight away as his dad passed away. But I didn't gel with him. I was bought a baby Staffie which I had to look after and get out of bed for. She is well behaved and the antics she gets up to make me laugh. I take turmeric and magnesium pills with glucosamine for my joints. Adcal D3 which is prescribed to me. Go and see friends have a hobby all these might help.

    • ruth03300
      ruth03300 natasa24657

      Posted

      Thankyou. I am going to see the rheumatologist later this month and will try to discuss it. I agree with you about dogs making you feel better. I at my son's house at the moment watching three dogs and it is wonderful

  • LayneTX
    LayneTX ruth03300

    Posted

    I understand totally. Guess many of us do.

    Seems to me no drug or supplement helps me much, what helps the most, and it's a daily thing, has been studying our minds. Meditation, breathing "life" in to our body, into the painful spots, it's really working for me. Just making myself chose to feel joy literally throughout my body verses the pain.  I read when we feel pain it tells our brain that it's pain, then our brain tells our body it's pain, a vicious circle, so we must stop that brain wireing. Working on simple mindfulness has helped to, be very present and so happy and thankful for what you are doing, such as carefully slicing a strawberry, smell it, feel it, enjoy it. 

    This may all sound silly, but atleast it feels good. And I smile a whole lot more now! smile 

    Wish the best for you and go hug your wonderful self. 

    • ruth03300
      ruth03300 LayneTX

      Posted

      Thankyou so much for responding

      I have tried this before, maybe I should try again.

    • LayneTX
      LayneTX ruth03300

      Posted

      I forgot to mention, the energy thing. Yes I still sometimes need to nap or relax in afternoon, but breathing energy into my body definately gets me going. Sometimes I try a piece of fruit, but it never works, darn it.

      if we are never challenged we never grow. Though I'd rather not suffer, but guess that's part of it all. 

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